C10-95-03-01 Former General Abducted

Yesterday (25th Tend) the recently retired General Bardil Steelfist, former leader of the army went missing from his home in the Neridoc district. As befits a person of his standing, Bardil had an extensive contingent of guards protecting himself and his house, but none of them saw the former General depart. There was also no sign that Bardil had taken any of his personal affects, or even clothes with him.
On the morning of Bardil’s disappearance the guards report that there were a number of strange occurrences. Doors opened and closed on their own, candles went out for now reason, objects were knocked off shelves and faint whispers could be heard. The guards’ claims that this was a spirit or even the Groodder have been dismissed with a far more rational explanation. The former general was abducted by those skilled in the use of magic.
Further evidence of the presence of magic users is the merchant’s tent that suddenly caught fire outside Bardil’s house. No evidence of any fuel or stray flames could be found, implying that the fire was started by magical means. The fire did catch the attention of the retired general’s guards so it may have been started as a distraction while Bardil was being abducted.
There are several groups which may have wished to abduct the general as his knowledge of the Halls’ defences would be invaluable to hostile powers. The abductors may also try to impersonate the former general in order to sow disinformation. Normally the main suspect behind such an operation would be the human dominated Kingdom of Caresnas, but reports of an elf being seen in the area raise the disturbing possibility that a faction with the Kingdom of the Forest was responsible. However, a group of renegade elves are known to be working with Caresnas so authorities are keeping an open mind about who is responsible.
An urgent search is now underway for Bardil, with additional checks being carried out at the exits to Crystal Spires in case the abductors try to smuggle him out of the cavern. All citizens are requested to report any sightings of Bardil to the nearest guard or soldier. Do not attempt to approach or speak to him as it may be an imposter and you could be putting yourself in danger.